Poloniati adds power to Turbos locking stocks

on Tuesday, 13 April 2021. Posted in Turbos News

The Manawatū Turbos have added some height in their second row in the form of Semisi (James) Poloniati.

Poloniati, 25, will arrive in the region for the second round of the Hankins Shield.

Turbos coach Peter Russell was pleased to have Poloniati on board.

"Semsi will add great value to our forward pack with his height, robustness and athleticism.  JP will potentially move to Palmerston North during the second round of MRU club rugby," he said.

"At this stage JP will remain playing in Wellington for Old Boys University with Shamus Hurley-Langton under forwards coach Bernie Upton."

At 2.03m and 120kg, Poloniati will join the likes of Liam Mitchell, Micaiah Torrance-Read, Ofa Tauatevalu and TK Howden in the battle for starting lock minutes.

Poloniati is a former Tongan Under 20s representative. In 2018 he played for South Canterbury in the Heartland Championship and made the New Zealand Heartland XV.

Last season he was included in the Wellington sqaud for the NPC.

Contracted Turbos

Harrison Allan

Jamie Booth

Brett Cameron

Stewart Cruden

Johnny Galloway

Joseph Gavigan

TK Howden

Shamus Hurley-Langton

Tyler Laubscher

Ngani Laumape

Siua Maile

Josiah Maraku

Liam Mitchell

Semisi Poloniati

Aaron Smith

Ben Strang

Ofa Tauatevalu

Samu Tawake

James Tofa

Micaiah Torrance-Read

TieTie Tuimauga

Drew Wild